I appreciated the mass Valentines being shared. Helped a few kids make them for friends teachers and Moms and Dads. Valentine is universal.

Mine was not anticipated. An adult asking about my personal life, and by a child asking to spell my name. So I did get a hand made card, priceless, I scored. William who comes to read, stealthily comes with something pink behind his back Sunday. morning. . So cute. Plus his little brother Pablo come to get the Valentine they created.

I had some time ago taken photos, before I knew them as they were racing in the alley. I an ex Indy official photog got in the act “Gentlemen start your Engines” even had a blk and wht kerchief. So the photos were a surprise. CVS had Special for 100 prints. The beneficiaries were two little neighbor girls. Dating 2019 2020 to 2021 as life ticked away in our little street. Memories from when we first met after Hurricane Wilma and as we got to know one another. Even included Ms Tammy who delivers books occasionally to my LFL. Helped purchase a bike for one of the girls at Christmas time but not for Christmas but because she was good. She did not attend my classes often as she had to care for her little brother and little cousins.. The trip to the zoo with the neighborhood kids. A new Baby in the hood, things they will not remember as they get older all documented for them.

Don’t share personal trials as this week was stressful. Working on the Unity Wall last week I got rained out and so did my iPad. Disaster, I was disconnected from the world as my iPad sat in 5 lb. of rice 9 days still nothing. Today Sunday I went to UFIX on Lake Ave. Mathew there was awesome, they are able to take on Macs can do factory warranted. Who knew. So I share.

If your curious about this blog it’s 10 years in the making primarily visual as my background is photography my first gig being the Indy 500, ended w Cruise ship pictures of London. Published in Time, Rolling Stone, etc. etc. but ck out the photos especially Throw Back Thurs. last week obviously was not published but now it is.

I’m late I’m late On Saturday I got rained out at the Unity Wall and now my iPad is resting in 5lb. of rice. Technical difficulty when one door closes another opens up and as Alice in Wonderland lost her way here I surfaced in the past. I moved here to retire from a 10,000sq. ft Art Gallery the Windisch-Hunt Fine Art Gallery on Grand Ave. Coconut Grove.

Being active what now? I committed to doing this blog 2010 New Years day. As you enjoy these photos at the bottom of the blog is a index guiding you to past posts. Have a look.

Interesting how we learn. Monday was Teacher work day and unanticipated I got company. This young man comes and says to me I came to help. Oh, i have not asked for help. It dawns on me he heard about the two hours of learning /instruction I give. Was going to beg off but here came William around the alley corner, I’m committed.

So I’ve structured the two hours as to not lose control or interest. First is reading the Whale book. a guy thing. then we will do happy things. Ivan and William are one year apart at Barton Elementary but don’t know each other. So we take turns reading . They get itchy and I call for a small break. Up my Poinciana Tree, only reason I think they come here. Times up, one says i can’t get down so I reply “guess I’ll have to call the Fire Dept.” That would be a wish fulfilled red trucks, big engine, a boys dream.

After Lunch, A book I ordered and am absolutely delighted with “Sincerely Emerson” hope they love it as much as I. But, it’s lunch break and William is all smiles. He brought lunch for himself and surprise, me. We shall be sharing 3 ways. This is where it gets interesting. The Ramen potato soup comes with tamale. I failed terribly, fail to grasp how to pick up ramen noodles with a tamale.

I recall the first time I saw them eat with their hands. I don’t eat eggs without a fork and knife, get it. Was told it’s cultural and I’m adamant No. They all were so well behaved when I took a large group to the Zoo and we ate at a hamburger joint (it’s finger food!) Today relaxed enjoying their company I’m taking in our differences. Both are Maya from different parts, so one says 3 fingers the other whole hand. Anyone recall how a WWII spy was unmasked because of how he held his fork. It’s cultural, maybe i’ll surprise them one day with Palacsintas* with marmalade or cocoa. We can eat them with our hands. LOL

Now William is coming after school to sit in my tree and I read to him ” We Willie Winkie”* Double checks me to see if our character is really called Percival William Williams. I got his full attention, someone with his name. So now I shall call him Wee William. I get a big grin.